Joe Maddon | Catcher

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Major League Baseball found no evidence of tampering on the part of the Cubs in the Joe Maddon hiring.

"Major League Baseball has concluded its tampering investigation regarding Joe Maddon’s departure from the Tampa Bay Rays and his subsequent hiring as manager of the Chicago Cubs," MLB said via its Twitter account. "The investigation produced no finding of a violation of Major League Rule 3(k) on Tampering." Multiple Cubs officials had to turn over laptops and cell phones during the investigation, so it seems as though the league did its due diligence. Maddon and the Cubs are surely glad to have the investigation behind them. Apr 29 - 9:35 PM

According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago, Major League Baseball's investigation into the hiring of Joe Maddon is ongoing, but should be completed prior to the start of the 2015 season.

When asked about it, new commissioner Rob Manfred indicated, "There is an ongoing investigation. To the extent it’s concluded, one way or another, we’ll be transparent about that. We’ll let you know." Theo Epstein and the Cubs organization continue to deny any tampering charges. If any evidence of tampering is found, the Cubs could face a fine or forfeiture of draft picks. Feb 7 - 10:53 AM

According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago, MLB has begun an investigation into how the Cubs hired Joe Maddon.

The Cubs and Maddon's agent, Alan Nero, have already been contacted by MLB as they look into whether any tampering took place before he opted out of his contract with the Rays. For what it's worth, Nero called any such accusation "embarrassing." "(Cubs President) Theo (Epstein) would not even have talked unless he got clearance from the commissioner's office," Nero recently said. "It's silly to suggest that (tampering), if they want to pursue that, that's fine." Mon, Nov 10, 2014 05:57:00 PM

The Cubs announced Monday that new manager Joe Maddon will receive a five-year contract.

ESPN's Buster Olney says the deal is for $25 million and includes bonuses tied to the postseason. Maddon will be introduced as the Cubs' new skipper in a press conference at the Cubby Bear on Monday afternoon. The former Rays manager had a record of 627-508 in his last seven seasons as the manager of the Rays, leading the team to the playoffs four times over that stretch. Mon, Nov 3, 2014 01:16:00 PM

Player News

According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago, Major League Baseball's investigation into the hiring of Joe Maddon is ongoing, but should be completed prior to the start of the 2015 season.

When asked about it, new commissioner Rob Manfred indicated, "There is an ongoing investigation. To the extent it’s concluded, one way or another, we’ll be transparent about that. We’ll let you know." Theo Epstein and the Cubs organization continue to deny any tampering charges. If any evidence of tampering is found, the Cubs could face a fine or forfeiture of draft picks.

According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago, MLB has begun an investigation into how the Cubs hired Joe Maddon.

The Cubs and Maddon's agent, Alan Nero, have already been contacted by MLB as they look into whether any tampering took place before he opted out of his contract with the Rays. For what it's worth, Nero called any such accusation "embarrassing." "(Cubs President) Theo (Epstein) would not even have talked unless he got clearance from the commissioner's office," Nero recently said. "It's silly to suggest that (tampering), if they want to pursue that, that's fine."

The Cubs announced Monday that new manager Joe Maddon will receive a five-year contract.

ESPN's Buster Olney says the deal is for $25 million and includes bonuses tied to the postseason. Maddon will be introduced as the Cubs' new skipper in a press conference at the Cubby Bear on Monday afternoon. The former Rays manager had a record of 627-508 in his last seven seasons as the manager of the Rays, leading the team to the playoffs four times over that stretch.

The Cubs will announce the hiring of Joe Maddon as their new manager at a press conference on Monday.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman first reported it, and now the Cubs made it official with a press release. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has reported that the former Rays manager's deal with the Cubs is expected to be worth about $5 million annually for at least four years.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs could announce Joe Maddon as their new manager by Friday.

Multiple reports indicated Wednesday that the two sides reached an agreement, but Maddon's agent downplayed the situation. Still, Rosenthal hears that all systems remain a "go" for a deal. It's likely a matter of timing, as the Cubs didn't want to upstage the World Series or increase the risk of a tampering accusation from the Rays, given that Maddon just opted out of his contract last Friday.

Maddon opted out of his contract with the Rays on October 24 and took less than a week to land a new gig. He's joining a Cubs team that is very much on the rise, and with much more financial freedom than what he was working with in Tampa Bay. Reports had Maddon seeking a five-year contract worth $25 million and the Cubs presumably met those demands. It's not clear what the immediate future holds for Rick Renteria, who was named Cubs manager last November on a three-year deal.

According to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times, major league sources say the Cubs have been in discussions this week with Joe Maddon and could have an answer by Friday.

The Cubs have been speculated as the logical fit ever since Maddon opted out of his contract with the Rays last Friday. Other teams have released statements in support of their current managers, but the Cubs have mostly been silent about Rick Renteria's status, only adding to the speculation. Maddon is reportedly seeking a five-year contract worth $25 million.

Joe Maddon's agent, Alan Nero, said in an interview Saturday that about 10 teams have contacted him about his client.

Not all of them are interested in Maddon as a manager, as CBS Sports' Jon Heyman says some want him in a "Tony La Russa style" top front-office position. Nero says that Maddon is "prepared not to manage" next season if the right gig doesn't come along, but he'd prefer not to take a year off. The Cubs are universally considered the favorites to land the former Rays skipper.

Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports that Joe Maddon is prepared to sit out the 2015 season to wait for the right managing opportunity, according to his agent Alan Nero.

A recent report indicated that Maddon is seeking a contract around five years and $25 million in total, which would make him one of the highest-paid managers in baseball, not far behind Mike Scioscia. Nero added, "Joe’s looking for a big challenge. He’s looking for an organization that’s committed to win." The Cubs have emerged as an early favorite for Maddon's eventual landing spot.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Joe Maddon is seeking a contract in the five-year, $25 million range.

It's a perfectly reasonable request, as that would put him right on par with Mike Scioscia as the highest paid manager in the game. Most of the speculation has the Cubs as the most likely landing spot for Maddon, though we're obviously at the very beginning of the process and there will surely be many teams interested in the former Rays skipper.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs are viewed as a "leading contender" to bring Joe Maddon aboard as their manager.

ESPN's Buster Olney and CBS Sports' Jon Heyman have also listed the Cubs as a possible landing spot for the former Rays skipper. Rick Renteria is under contract with the Cubs through 2016, but Rosenthal notes that the club has the money to simply buy him out of his deal. President Theo Epstein interviewed Maddon for the Red Sox' manager job in 2003 before he decided on Terry Francona.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that Rays manager Joe Maddon has exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and will leave the club immediately.

Wow. Maddon said just over a week ago that he "absolutely" wanted to remain the Rays' manager following the departure of Andrew Friedman, but he had a change of heart after extension talks with the club fell apart. The natural assumption was that he'd follow Friedman to the Dodgers, but CBS Sports' Jon Heyman and FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal both say it's not going to happen. Maddon will obviously be a hot commodity for anyone considering a change at manager. Bench coach Dave Martinez is a likely option to succeed Maddon in Tampa.

Rays president Matt Silverman said Wednesday that the team intends to engage manager Joe Maddon in extension talks soon.

"It's hard to imagine this club not being managed by Joe," Silverman said. "We want him here, Joe says he wants to be here, those are the ingredients for another deal. We've had several so far, and I'm hopeful that we're going to have another one." Silverman also said he would like to have an extension worked out before the season, but that it wasn't a necessity for Maddon to remain with the club beyond 2015. Maddon has also expressed an interest in working out an extension. Until one is done, though, the rumors about Maddon joining departed executive VP Andrew Friedman with the Dodgers likely won't go away entirely.

Joe Maddon said Tuesday that he "absolutely" wants to remain Rays manager.

After it was announced that executive VP of baseball operations/general manager Andrew Friedman accepted a job with the Dodgers, many immediately speculated that Maddon would follow him to Los Angeles. However, the scenario appears unlikely right now. "I want to continue to be a Ray, absolutely," said Maddon. For what it's worth, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times hears that Friedman's plan as of right now is to stick with Don Mattingly as manager for 2015.

Depth Charts

Miguel Montero (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Tennessee on Sunday.

He's missed the last few weeks with a sprained left thumb. David Ross and Kyle Schwarber have shared time behind the plate during his absence. Montero is only hitting .230 this year with 10 homers and 32 RBI.

Kris Bryant left Sunday's game against the Brewers with an apparent injury to his head/neck area.

Bryant injured himself on a head-first slide into second base. He was able to walk off the field under his own power and looked to be OK, so perhaps the Cubs were just being cautious here. They should offer more on the third baseman's status later Sunday.

Tsuyoshi Wada (shoulder) gave up four runs over four innings Monday in a minor league rehab start with Double-A Tennessee.

Wada, out since June 22 with inflammation in his left deltoid muscle, allowed eight hits (including two home runs) while striking out five. It's unclear what the next step will be. Clayton Richard is currently serving as the Cubs' fifth starter.

Turner was on a rehab assignment from a mild flexor strain in the elbow but a flare-up caused him to halt his progress. The Cubs have no timetable for his return to the mound and, obviously, for his eventual return to Wrigley.

Zac Rosscup (shoulder) is shifting his minor league rehab assignment to Double-A Tennessee.

Rosscup made two dominant appearances in the rookie-level Arizona League and has now moved one step closer to returning to the Cubs' bullpen. If he's truly back to full health, the 27-year-old can be a weapon in left-handed relief for Chicago down the stretch.